Writing Summaries Why is it important to summarize

Writing Summaries

Why is it important to summarize? A summary familiarizes the reader with the material before the writer begins analyzing or reacting to that material. A summary can clarify the material, especially for lengthy or complicated sources. When is it appropriate to summarize? When it is necessary to introduce the material, give the reader some background on the topic, or introduce and illustrate evidence

Getting Started • • • Read through the source thoroughly at least once; annotate the text. Note thesis, the major ideas/arguments and how these are all connected throughout the source Keep in mind questions of who, what, when, where, why and how

Sample Summary (note this summary is approximately 1/5 the length of the source) Source text: As unrefined and basic as an animal’s emotional equipment may be, it is not insensitive to freedom. Somewhere in the archives of crudest instinct is recorded the truth that it is better to be endangered and free than captive and comfortable. In the cage, even in the “environmental parks” which the better zoos are providing for their charges, a creature is out of harmony with the natural rhythms of organ and earth: it must eat foods out of their regular season; soft living erodes its cunning; it becomes confused about mating and often fails to reproduce; an immense frustration overtakes it due to its inability to heed instinctual instructions. In my text: In Another Roadside Attraction , Robbins’ narrator argues that the notion of and attraction to freedom is a vital part of every animal’s nature (69).

Putting it together • In your own words , state thesis and describe the main points. • Be as succinct as possible - leave out extraneous details. • • Have another person read it over; they should be able to understand the overall ideas and arguments of the source. Cite the source: include the title, author, and where you found it. Keep in mind. . . • • As a standalone assignment, if the required length is not specified, keep it no longer than ¼ the length of the original source Within an essay, keep it to only a few sentences - your analysis/reaction should comprise the majority of the content

Although summaries are your own words, you must always cite where the ideas come from, just as you would for a quote or paraphrase

What to avoid • Summaries are not rewrites; use your own words to present the ideas. • Do not insert your opinion into the summary. • Within an essay, avoid lengthy summaries; your discussion of the material covered in that summary should be the main focus.

Works Consulted http: //writingcenter. unc. edu/handouts/summary-using-itwisely/ http: //esc. edu/online-writing-center/resources/academicwriting/types/summary-reaction-papers/